Permanent Bandaids

When my husband and I purchased our home about 2 years ago we realized the lovely built-in shown above did not have doors and looked unfinished.  We searched the local hardware stores for "off the shelf" cabinet doors that could be purchased. 

We were unable to find any and had to turn to the Internet.  We did find a company that sold doors that you would need to paint and install yourself - no problem - right?  Well, one thing led to another and we put the doors on hold.  The first time we had company over I draped a large curtain over the area (not pictured here) so at least what was being stored in the cabinets wasn't showing.  This two years later was a somewhat permanent bandaid that had yet to go away for something nicer looking.  It is funny how life gets the best of you and find that something that seemed so easy - just didn't get done.

Well, we hosted our first ever Thanksgiving for the family and wanted to have the nice cabinet doors installed and ready to go.  No more procrastinating for us!  Well, being a buyer you think I have originally paid attention to the lead time for fabrication. It was eight weeks and I only had two weeks till Thanksgiving.

We still wanted something nicer than the old curtain.  So, what you see above is my "fix" - maybe another permanent bandaid- hahha! I went to Joann's and got some nice coordinating home decorator fabrics.  They match a wine rack and candle holder that we received as a gift when we got married.  It is sort of hard to make out in the photos but the middle fabric has all the colors.
To provide the desired sturdiness I cut two squares about an inch all around larger than the holes in the built and basically made double sided squares which then were applied with double sided sticky Velcro (extra strong - works like a charm).  This gives the cabinet and the room a much nicer appeal and still allows access to the hordes of video games we have collected!

This was so simple and my very happy with the results!  It is amazing what a little fabric and thread can do! 

PS.  I believe this post will officially mark my return to blogging and spending a bit more time doing the things I love.  This year I spend a lot of time at work and the rest of the time just being too tired.  I am determined to try to ensure a better work-life balance for 2013!  I have missed all of you - so I hope you have missed me too!

Sewing Room Makeover

My sewing room is in desperate need of some organization and some on the walls to make it feel prettier.  That coupled with the fact that I have been loosing weight and do not really want to jump into garment sewing again until I have reached a plateau, has pushed this to the front of my list of things to do.

                                                                        image source

First up on my list is a fabric covered cork board from the Liberty Book of Home Sewing.  I plan to do a solid background with a patterned bias tape running across it.

I would also like to make the machine apron and organizer from McCalls 5871 (for carrying any hand sewing activities around).

Also, an ironing board cover - I have McCalls 6051 but I have also seen tutorials out on the web.

Lastly, I would like to install some nice thread racks.  This one matches my craft table, but I might also try the DIY method and paint some cheaper ones.

That will at least be a start and then I need to organize the storage space! I still need to decide on colors and of course it wouldn't be a makeover if I didn't show you before pictures!

 Are any of you working on any office or home decor projects right now?

Welcome to my Home! (Pillow Shams)

Welcome to my Home or at least my living room.  One of the projects I have had on my list was to cover these pillows I had bought several years back at Pier One but had since married and redecorated in something that fit both our styles.

My husband who is a muscian after his 9-5 day is completed, takes an active interest in how I decorate the house.  I wasn't use to that, and while finding something to compromise on sometimes takes  more time than desired.  We are usually both pleased with the outcome.  The end product is that our living room is a little bit rock and roll with little tiny subtle splashes of girliness thrown in. 

For the pillow covers we choose a black fabric with grey music symbols and a grey artsy fabric and the blue with birds (my pick).  I was a little unsure how they would all turn out but I am pretty pleased!  The back room you see in the distance is the dining room (which is a different color scheme).

 Another view of the pillows and the living room.  And below is a close up of the black and grey pillows.

The project was pretty easy to put together!  I cut one square for each pillow the exact measurements of the pillow plus a 4/8" seam allowance and then for the back of the pillow I calculated what 3/4 of the square size would be and then 1/4 adding in seam allowance all around.  They are shams that can conveniently be pulled off and washed (the same reason we have a couch cover with our dogs we need to be able to conveniently wash things) and secured in the back with velcro.